lots of info on the net under sleep paralysis, the body is usually paralysed when sleeping and if a vivid dream partly wakes you, you will be

paralysed for a while, feeling helplessrecovered former longtime anxiety and panic attack sufferer and helper of other sufferers but no training or qualifications in medicine or psychology, any remarks that may be taken as advice must be confirmed with doctor or other health professional

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Although not in recent years, I used to have sleep paralysis all the time - and it terrified me. I would actually have to FIGHT myself awake with a jolt to release the paralysis and I was sure I had some terminal disease. Turns out it was all related to stress, fear, anxiety, etc. And although I haven't had that lately, I still have VERY vivid dreams every single night and usually awake with a feeling of impending doom and nervousness. I wish I could just get through one night without dreaming (or at least being aware of them). The dreams aren't always nightmares per se, but they are so real feeling that they always have some type of impact on me. I do notice that avoiding eating anything after 6pm helps - eating heavily before going to sleep is the WORST. Maybe it might be a better idea to take any anti-anxiety meds before going to sleep rather than in the morning?? Anyway, I can certainly relate to what you are going through.

It's usually the one where I'm paralised then I think I've woken up and think thank God , the realised that I am still paralised (and am still asleep , although I don't realise this) - this can go on for a few "cycles" til I wake up. Sometimes I am paralised and then someone comes into the room and swings me around violently from the ankles (which I think I am either having lucid dream or hallucination). Or I have such realistic and vivid dreams that it un-nerves me. I usually only get impending doom when falling to sleep not waking from (post dormital).

Andwes , I am not on any anx meds (or any meds at all yet) been waiting since Oct to see someone to "find out" more about me - should only be about another month now It will be a start to a long journey but I know it will help me. I know how you feel and I hope it eases for you soon.

Chris - this usually happens when you lay in one position for too long and you stop the blood supply , or , if it doesn't go away in time it might be a trapped nerve....sorry I can't be of more help.

Thankyou all ,

Smiler

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Just having these Latelyand I know it is all connected to mom and her daeth a yr ago .I just try and shake the horrid dreams and go back to sleep sometimes it is not obtainable I hope things get betterLyn

Hey sis how are ya Mght yak at ya later k Love yaContribute today to support Healing Well Forums...Donate @

Sleep is not a good thing for me...I know I get the paralysis mostly when I am startled awake (who knows why) just as I am starting to dream the recurrent theme of those dreams is I am really high up and slip and start to fall...once I had a dream I was shot in the back and I woke up from that one and couldnt move...I find I do better if I am more relaxed when I drift off to sleep...--MichelleModerator Anxiety/Panic Forum

I started having sleep paralysis when I was about 22 & I'm now 54. Every time I feel something very evil in my room & I'd never heard of this or known of anyone else to have it. I started reading heaps of books on the supernatural but never found anything about this. I know that sleep paralysis can happen when you wake & your body is still asleep, but I also believe that that is not always the case. Most of the time, the first 20 or so times, I was sleeping on my side & when I'd wake I could feel another body pressed up against my back. It felt very strong & evil. One time I woke (usually happened about 2am & often around 10 mins after dosing off), paralysised & had what I believe was a demon dog sitting on my chest & frothing at the mouth. Also standing right beside me was a dark figure of a man wearing a hat. He didn't seem evil like the dog. He just seemed to stand there & not even notice me. I could see my clock from where I was laying, without needing to turn my head, which I couldn't do, & it was 2am & when the evil finally went, it was 2.10am.

I know I was fully awake & hadn't just woken from a nightmare or any other dream. Many other things happened over the 20 years it went on for but it's too much to include here.

If anyone else has felt the evil & seen demons etc., I would suggest you look at a web site called "true ghost tales-real ghost stories" & you certainly won't feel alone. I found out throught that site that the dark figure of a man that I saw was actually a 'shadow being' called the 'man in the hat' (I'd also seen him many, many times when I was a child. I would wake up & he'd be standing at the doorway just looking into the room. I wasn't paralysised then but he scared me & I'd keep very still & just watch him for ages, then finally put the sheet over my head & eventually go back to sleep. "shadow creatures aren't known to be evil & nobody really knows what they are. They just seem to want to watch people & are often seen dashing through hallways or standing in doorways.

The last time I had sleep paralysis & could feel the demons coming, I remembered a book I'd just read & it had a chapter on How to Fight Demonns Off' but all I could remember while I lay there terrified was that it said to prey for help. Being paralysised & unable to talk, I just preyed in my mind for Jesus to help me. Straight away I felt the evil leave very quickly & I haven't had sleep paralysis since & that was about 15 years ago.

Another thing I found was that it only happened when I was the only person in the room & only when my mind was completely clear. If I'd taken a pill to help me sleep or had a few drinks it never happened.

Well, I hope I haven't rattled on too much, but I really hope this can be of some help to even one person, as it's truely terrifying.